On Thursday, October 20, parent meetings were held to explain the way that AIG identified students receive services and to explain the process that third grade students go through to be identified. Below are the presentations from that evening.​

I was discussing with my students whether or not we would be allowed to type our final copies in the short stories elective. The conversation turned to how long typing takes. Here are some resources I posted two years ago, but wanted to put them back up as the top post in case you want to practice!​Provides instruction in a fun way:http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/typing/

Games to practice placement:http://www.freetypinggame.net/play.asphttp://www.learninggamesforkids.com/keyboarding_games.html

Third grade students came home with their CogAT scores in Tuesday folders. Even with a few years under my belt, I can see how the score reports can be hard to comprehend. Please, don't feel like you need to do it on your own! Have questions? Ask me!!! This is my job, please help me do it well!Remember, CogAT is just one indicator we use in identifying students. This is why we have multiple gateways to become identified. I would rather you ask your questions and let me explain the process than you not knowing what the scores mean or how to advocate for your child!

Here is the slideshow from my parent meetings about the third grade explorers program as well as the identification process. If you have any questions as you go through the process, please feel free to email me!

Welcome back to the start of a great school year! Thank you so much to the parents of my 4th and 5th grade students that were able to attend my Open House session. I know that it was before the rest of the events that night, so if you weren't able to make it, the presentation is located below. If you have any questions, please reach out to me and I'd be happy to discuss them with you!

As my fifth grade students have been reading The Wednesday Wars by Gary D Schmidt, we have also decided to study Shakespeare so that we can understand what Holling Hoodhood was going through and learning about.In class today, we watched and discussed episodes of The Tempest from BBC School Radio.Students need to watch episodes 7 and 8 before they come to class on Thursday.

I cannot believe it, but we are already in fourth quarter! There are only 9 weeks left in the school year! I just had a few things I wanted to share:

First- To the parents of third grade students as well as parents that nominated their child for AIG testing this spring: I have not forgotten about you! I am so sorry that the process is slower than it has been in the past. Things that are out of my control are causing delays. I promise that I am working hard to fairly evaluate your child and share the information with you as quickly as I can! You should have official results by the end of April.

Second- To parents considering SSA (single subject acceleration) for your child: Our nomination window opens on April 14 and closes on April 24. I am required by Wake County policy to stop accepting nominations as of 11:59pm April 24. Please, do not wait until the last minute to turn in the form! Powell's testing for SSA will occur during the week of May 4- May 7.

Third- To parents of fifth grade students: I have communicated with the fifth grade teachers in regards to "green sheet" middle school registration forms. However, if you have any questions once you receive them, please feel free to ask your child's teacher or me about placement decisions!

During a snow day, I created a reading bingo board. I just thought it would be a fun way to change up what kids and families are reading! Feel free to participate, in any way you might want to! I just wanted to add another fun aspect to reading, anything that encourages students to read!Print one from below, or have your child ask me for a copy.

SSA nomination time is almost upon us. The county is hosting meetings so that information is shared from a centralized source and all parents receive the same information. Due to unforeseen crazy weather, these dates have not been shared as early as I may have wanted. Please attend a meeting if you intend on having your child tested for SSA!

I know, I know, last week we were dealing with 2 hour delays, this week the temperatures are a little warmer, so I'm bringing up summer camp!I was in shock when I received an email that it was time to sign up for Marbles camps!However, it is time to think about it! We are very lucky here that there are many different options. For some of us, summer camp is a necessity for child care when the kids are out of school For others, it's just a way to keep us sane during the long weeks the kids are home and looking for entertainment and experiences. Whatever your reason for summer camp may be, it is time to start thinking about them! Do you have any recommendations? I had very good experiences with Marbles and with Raleigh Little Theater last summer.Please share any camps your children enjoy in the comments section down below! And don't feel bad if you register your child first and then share the camp!!!